The three nicest things anyone has ever said to me

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From a mom of 4 wild ass monkey boys: “I want a girl just like you in my family.”

From a mom of twins whom I’ve still never met, pre-teens at the time: “I wish my girls could know you.”

From a kindred spirit gal in Louisiana: “I like you. You’re like when little kids want to hold hands with you.”

I’m not writing these things down to toot my own horn. I just want to have a record stating that the nicest compliments don’t have to be romantic – and that parents who associate you with good things when it comes to their children is possibly the highest praise one could ask for.

To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – this is to have succeeded.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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4 Comments

  1. Juliette on March 12, 2015 at 9:40 PM

    One of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me: “You’re the afro-ed version of Tami Taylor.”

    Thanks, friend. :)

    Also, the weirdest sideways compliment I’ve ever received is “Has anyone ever told you you look like a female Prince?”

    SO confused, I replied, “You mean– a princess???”

    “No, no, no– like Prince. Artist Formerly Known As.”

    “Oh… No. No one has ever said that.”

  2. Michael on March 13, 2015 at 8:02 AM

    Beautiful, beautiful Annie…

  3. Greta on March 13, 2015 at 9:41 AM

    What a great little boost on this Friday morning. Thanks for that, dearest amiga!

  4. erin, the travelling audiologist on March 26, 2015 at 2:51 PM

    A few years ago, I had an elderly gentleman patient say to me: “If this was another time, I’d just want to pull up my chair and set beside you all day. Someone’s gonna be real lucky one day to get to do that.”

    It’s hard for me to type it now without getting tears in my eyes as he passed away just a few months ago. I’ll never forget those words he said to me, and I hold them dear always.

    Words are powerful, AP. Your words. I love you.

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